Volunteering and Social Action for Health and Well Being Duncan Tree Head of Policy and Performance Volunteering Matters Kings Fund Annual Conference 19 November 2015
About Volunteering Matters Leading UK volunteering in policy and practice for 52 years Vision-of a society where everyone can participate in the lives of their local communities through volunteering and social action. Mission-by investing in people through volunteering we can reduce inequalities and isolation, improve health and well being and so build stronger, more inclusive communities.
In practice Our work: helps to empower disabled people to lead independent lives, offers security and stability to families and children at risk of neglect, helps young people find their direction in life and enables older people to share knowledge and experience across generations. demonstrates the value of volunteering and social action in improving health and care outcomes for people of all ages, backgrounds and circumstances-and in particular for some of the most excluded and vulnerable members of our society.
In policy Health and Care Voluntary Sector Strategic Partnership Programme Care Act Care Quality Integrated Personalised Commissioning Five Year Forward View Realising the Value programme: Person Centred and Community Based Approaches to Health and Care To identify evidence-based approaches that engage people in their own health and care, and develop tools to support implementation across the NHS and local communities.
Volunteering and System Reform NHSE Five Year Forward View We need to engage with communities and citizens in new ways, involving them directly in decisions about the future of health and care services creating new options for health related volunteering. Volunteers are crucial in both health and social care The Care Act 2014 The core purpose of adult care and support is to help people to achieve the outcomes that matter to them in their life. Local authorities must promote wellbeing when carrying out any of their care and support functions in respect of a person.
Vanguards and Volunteering and Social Action Expectations of local vanguard sites that have been selected to be part of the new care models programme (key delivery vehicle for the 5YFV to support the improvement and integration of services) include the demonstration of volunteering and social action as key enablers in local health and care systems supporting key functions such as :- peer support; befriending; care navigation; crisis prevention; and support for recovery
The challenge There are huge opportunities for volunteering to help transform health and social care services and bring about real improvements for patients and the wider public. The challenge now is to ensure that the system can make the most of these opportunities. Many organisations lack a strategic vision for the role of volunteering within their workforce, and so miss the opportunities that exist. Volunteering in Health and Care, Securing a Sustainable Future, The Kings Fund, 2013
Volunteering and Health and Well Being Experimental and cohort studies show participation in volunteering is strongly associated with better health, lower mortality, better functioning, life satisfaction and decrease in depression. the public health implications are that barriers to volunteering should be removed and disadvantaged groups enabled to take part A guide to Community Centred Approaches to Health and Well Being, PHE and NHS England, 2015
Volunteering and Inequalities Participation in UK related to area deprivation; 19% of people living in the 10% most deprived areas take part in regular formal volunteering compared with 36% in the 10 least deprived areas (2012/13). Volunteering rates among the unemployed dropped from 38% in 2010/11 to 33% in 2012/13. Volunteering in later life; wealth a key factor and higher rates of volunteering amongst the richest fifth of the population, at more than two in five (Nazroo, 2012) Community Life Survey 2012/14 showed disabled people are volunteering less than other people:- 37% disabled volunteers - 46% non disabled volunteers. Only 4% of the Olympics Games Makers were disabled.
Demonstrating impact, engaging commissioners and securing investment Developing a shared dialogue and understanding of value. A survey with commissioners to establish their views on evidence and impact. Improve how we do this and agree key principles Do you want to be involved?